How to Notes #1

If you are interested in trying this yourself someday - here is some info that may help you.

Camera - a good one that is easy to use and can take up close pictures.

MONARCH EGGS

I have found them on the underside of the "Common Milkweed" where I live in Southern Ontario, Canada.

They look like very small oval pearls - no more than a millimetre or so in size - so you have to keep an open eye. Once you know what they look like - you are already an expert at finding them!


**SEE one of my earlier posts where I have a container of leaves with eggs on them.

Once you identify the egg,  take the entire leaf and place it in a ziploc bag, being very very careful not to brush the egg off.

Continue to look for more eggs or until you are done.


EGG INCUBATION  and HATCHING

Requires:

Plastic Containers with lids, vented i.e. small holes in the lids (as many to match the number of leaves you have). Size of Containers: 4" by 6" rectangles or 5" by 5". $ Stores are good for this.

Paper towel

Water - hand touch temperature
Tape; clear packing or even the green painting tape
Indelible Black Marker
Patience


-When you get home, gently take the leaves out of their ziploc bags.

-Gently brush the backside of each leaf to remove dirt and any aphids.

-Open each plastic container and quickly rinse if they are new.

-Place paper towel piece, folded to match the bottom of each container, into each container.

-Moisten paper towel - do not make too wet as you don't want to rot things.

-Place leaf into container. 1 to 1 ratio of leaf to container is preferable but can do 2 leaves into 1 container.

-Fold end of paper towel over the end of the leaf.

-Place "vented" lid on top.

USE tape and marker to mark each container with date leaf was picked and the egg hatched. Good for record keeping.


Keep in safe area that receives day/night natural light thru a window.

IMPORTANT!!! PLEASE do not put the container on top of hot stoves, or near the microwave vent (or in please) or near a dishwasher that can vent steam, or anything else that creates high heat  (radiators for example). Also, keep safely away from your favourite pet.


Keep check on 2xs daily. Keep paper towel moist.

Take pictures when you want.


CATERPILLARS

The first sign that you might have a caterpillar will be what appears as "marks" on the leaf.  Look near the marks and chances are you will see a very small - and I mean small. You might even require a microscope to see the critter.

Be careful not to squash your new caterpillar with your fingers when you look at a leaf or turn it over. I find that using the stem of the leaf  is best to pick the leaf up or turn it.


Continue your twice daily checks on your caterpillar and:

a/ clean out the container of any  "frass" or caterpillar poop. FRASS = very small dots of green either on the paper towel or on the leaf itself. if the frass is not near the caterpillar. You don't want to hurt it. Frass grows in proportion with the size of your caterpillar.

b/ Change the paper towel to a new one when frass appears. "Frass Happens" - and will keep happening as long as you have caterpillars.


**It is important to keep the caterpillar area clean - I have read this and it appears to be a good thing. 


Keep check on your eggs and see how many hatch. Date each keep a date check on.


You will notice periods of intense growth by the caterpillar followed by times of almost no movement.

Let nature do its' thing.


Feed your caterpillars fresh leaves of Milkweed as they eat thru others. When a Milkweed leaf gets flimsy and stale, throw away - making sure that you have checked the location of your caterpillar as you don't want to throw away your 'pillar!

You will get the guage your caterpillars' need, but I recommend 2 full leaves in the container when they are 5 - 7 days plus old.


After approx 10-12 days / or if your caterpillar reaches approx 1.25"  in length and has good girth(not skinny),  whichever comes first; you will need to move your caterpillar to a "Caterpillar Hotel" as I call it.

You may also find another symptom of needing to move your caterpillar is it's need to climb the sides of your container even climb on the lid.


One of mine just did that tonight.    It will be moved soon to a hotel.


Another installement will be "How to Notes #2"

Thank-you for reading!

MNN